Where is the "free world"

Sometimes, in life, you hit that rare moment when you are forced to pause and reflect, even if just for a few seconds. The adage that someone is always worse off than yourself became a startling realisation today when I came across a blog entry that highlighted the discriminatory policies of one society in particular.

Many readers of this blog would be aware of my role as an activist for the rights of people that don't fall into the heteronormative mold. This includes homosexuals (lesbians and gay men), bisexuals, transgendered, transsexual, androgyne, intersex, pansexual, polyamorous, and more (including heterosexuals where applicable).

We know that many cultures and societies frown, condemn, abuse, vilify, arrest and even punish (sometimes by death) anyone that does not fit into a specified (by theology, psychology, biology, sociology or law) label or box. And to hear that strict theocracies like Iran are barbarous to these people often will not raise an eyebrow. Equality and human rights are expected to be deficient there.

What is surprising to many is that basic human rights are lacking in 'civilised' countries like Australia and the USA. The extent of the bigotry is what should raise the ire of any 'small l' liberal or campaigner for social justice.

1,049 federal rights depend on marital status


After being in a romantic partnership for almost eight years, after living together for four years, after jointly purchasing property, sharing bills and income, after having a ceremony during which we publicly declared our commitment to one another in front of all our friends and family, Terra and I are still denied 1,049 federal rights automatically granted to heterosexual, married couples.


read more here

Australia's pink voters are winning small battles on a state level, but the big task is in the Federal sphere. A task made even more daunting in having to deal with a conservative Government and Senate.

While we have a long struggle ahead of us, the fact remains that for the most part (at least in WA and Tasmania and other states following close behind) we are protected and have our relationships on a similar par with heterosexual de factos. In the USA, with their conglomeration of laws that criss-cross county, state and federal jurisdictions, the task is much harder and has been a far longer struggle.

So I pause, just for a moment, to reflect on how lucky I am. How lucky we all are, in Australia, compared with the majority of the civilised world. But if I reflect too long, if I think about the persecution in the 'uncivilised' world, I might just cry.